The Nanny Dish

Feeling creative? Have a funny nanny story to tell?

Nannies on Call and Fat Rock Productions have launched a mini-writing competition called "The Nanny Dish." To enter, write 300 words about a nanny situation from a mother's perspective (can be fact or fiction). The grand prize is a full-time nanny placement through Nannies on Call and registration in a Fat Rock online screenwriting workshop. The story will also be developed into a screenplay. There are numerous runner's up prizes, too. So start writing... the deadline is July 15.

For info and rules visit www.nannydish.com

A winning combination

Massage and childcare... yay! I just read that Prema Sai Wholistic Living now has free childcare available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. My prayers are answered. I no longer have to schedule my monthly massage for last thing on a Thursday night or guiltily squeeze it in around our weekend plans. Now I can bring my kids along and enjoy a leisurely mid-morning slot while they play.

Prema Sai has 29 practioners on staff offering a wide range of wholistic treatments including massage (Tibeton Bon, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, hot stone and more), acupuncture and reflexology. What's more they specialize in prenatal therapies and will even arrange your baby shower for you.

You can book online and find them in Calgary at 2613 14St SW. Ask about their Mother's Day special.

Nannies on call

It was my birthday on the weekend and my husband surprised me with lunch at the always excellent River Cafe with a couple of friends. AND he arranged for a nanny to come and take care of our two children and our friend's two little ones (four kidlets under the age of five). How about that for a birthday treat!

He called Nannies on Call who offer full-service child care to private homes or hotels. They will find you a nanny to cover a dinner date or they'll find you a full-time live-in nanny if that's what you're looking for. Megan was our assigned nanny. The company emailed my husband a few days before with her name and a little bit of info about her. The minimum charge is for 3 hours. We booked Megan for 4 hours so we could stroll down to the restaurant in the warm spring sunshine and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Bliss.

Nannies on Call is a great resource for families travelling to Calgary. It's not cheap but it is convenient and all their nannies have clean criminal records and first aid training. Nannies on Call like to have 48 hours notice so book ahead of time if you can.

Now I just have to figure out what to get my hubby for his upcoming birthday. He's set the bar high this year...